For 19 years, USA WEEKEND and HandsOn Network generated by Points of Light Institute, have joined together to sponsor Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. Celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday in October, Make A Difference Day connects people with opportunities to serve, increases the strength of communities and promotes civic engagement.
Who takes part in Make A Difference Day?
Anyone. Young and old, individuals and groups, anyone can carry out a volunteer project that helps others. It might be as ambitious as collecting truckloads of clothing for the homeless, or as personal as spending an afternoon helping an elderly neighbor or relative. USA WEEKEND features volunteers and their projects in articles and photos. Each year in April, hundreds of good deeds done on Make A Difference Day are selected for honors, headlines and charitable donations.
$10,000 to 10 projects
Newman's Own provides $10,000 donations to the charities of each of 10 national honorees. These 10 honorees will be spotlighted in an April 2010 issue, coinciding with National Volunteer week, and on the Make a Difference Day Web site. $10,000 to 10 projects
Newman's Own provides $10,000 donations to the charities of each of 10 national honorees. These 10 honorees will be spotlighted in an April 2010 issue, coinciding with National Volunteer week, and on the Make a Difference Day Web site.
How can I get press materials and learn more?
Visit www.usaweekend.com/diffday
HandsOn Network Action Centers made a difference in communities across the country on Saturday, October 24. HandsOn affiliates truly created change in creative ways on this historic, high-impact day. Some of the highlights from HandsOn Action Centers include:
- University of Phoenix proudly supported Make A Difference Day by encouraging alumni, students, faculty and staff to participate in projects across the country, including four signature projects at schools and environmental agencies with our affiliates in Dallas, Washington D.C., Chicago and Phoenix.
- Boston Cares volunteers landscaped and planted 5,000 blubs at the Charles River Esplanade, a Boston landmark and outdoor recreation area. Disney Parks added to the fun by sending Mickey and the JaMMitors to entertain volunteers.
- Volunteer Broward in Fort Lauderdale, FL, leveraged 705 hours of manpower to give the Davie Police Athletic League campus a makeover with community partners Comcast, Target, the Florida E-Lions Club and Memorial Healthcare.
Additionally, University of Phoenix, HandsOn Network and USA WEEKEND launched a social media campaign to collect all updates about Make A Difference Day on Twitter. We encourage all who are volunteering or mentioning Make A Difference Day to use hashtag #MDD09 so that we can capture inspiration.
View a summary and highlights of projects that occurred across the country.
Press Release: Millions of Americans Rally on Make A Difference Day 2009 - October 24.
BLOG: HandsOn Network Celebrates 19th Annual Make A Difference Day
